TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



by an expert, the command over line and fly in no way compares 

 with the facility with which they may be handled on the more 

 powerful rod." 



'^Either through lack of experience or lack of confidence in 

 their own opinion . . . if they have had any on the point 

 . . . many latter-day writers have echoed Dr. Henshall's state- 

 ment . . . in some cases, word for word . . . with the 

 result that their readers have been misguided in their selection of 

 rods." 



"Is it wrong to assume that the advantage gained over the fish 

 by using a rod which relieves the light gut leader of strain may be 

 safely abandoned in favor of the rod which enables the angler to 

 place his fly with more delicacy and precision, even though he risk 

 a smash in hooking, or after, because of its stiffness?" 



Compare now what Dr. Henshall has to say about the 

 fly-rod and its function with what Mr. La Branche has 

 to say upon the subject and then, after carefully consid- 

 ering the words of each, draw your own conclusions, 

 which later verify by experience. 



I trust and believe that I am correct when I assume 

 that both Dr. Henshall and Mr. La Branche speak from 

 the same standpoint . . . fly-rods in general use for 

 wet or dry-fly fishing. I also assume that both deem suc- 

 cessful trout fishing with the artificial fly, using either 

 method, to mean the ability to make the trout rise, to hook, 

 to play and to land them. 



This, however, does not mean the killing of trout. 



77 



